Share Your Driving Experience

Back when we were bright-eyes and eager teens, we at SparkNotes had to go through all the joys and frustrations that come with getting your first driver’s license. Here are our stories:

• I actually enjoyed driver’s ed; my instructor was laid back, and she appreciated when, during our one driving session, I was able to joke with her after turning our car into oncoming traffic. The driver’s test went pretty smoothly as well, and I got my license on the first try. Things went downhill after that, culminating in me driving my parent’s enormous Buick into someone’s porch. (You know how they tell you NOT to slam on the brakes when you start to skid? They’re right, you shouldn’t. Especially when you mistake the gas pedal for the brake.)
• ~Emily~ failed her first driver’s test. She spent all of her prep time on her hair and makeup, and she ended up getting tripped up on the parallel parking during the road test. She also ran a red light. And is rumored to have hit a pedestrian. The second time out, she wore an old sweat suit and didn’t shower; needless to say, she passed with flying colors.
• Miss Marm got through the driver’s test okay, but shortly after getting her permit, she was backed into by a small truck. When the cop came by to ask for her license, her mom, who was in the car with her, handed over their cat’s vaccination papers.

These are just the kinds of the entertaining experiences that await all new drivers. Between driver’s ed, driver’s tests, and that first taste of the road, anything can happen. We’re sure you have your own stories. We’d love to hear them, so share them in the comments!

Check out all the resources available on the SparkNotes Guide to Driver's Ed.